Note 141 — Chapter III

The cause of this persecution was a dreadful plague, which, in the year 1348, raged all over Europe. This calamity was attributed to the Jews, who were accused of having poisoned the wells and water-springs, in order to exterminate the Christians. Never did any description of people experience greater oppression and misery than what were suffered by the Jews of that time. All the gaols and prisons were crowded with them; they were put to the rack in every judicial court. The day was scarcely long enough for the execution of the poor condemned wretches; nor were the nights ever dark, by reason of the continual fires which were kept burning every-where, to consume them at the stake. Vast numbers, who had escaped the rigour of the tribunals, fell a sacrifice to popular fury. They were suffocated in bogs, slaughtered like flies, and destroyed by other summary means. There was no distinction made of age or sex: the same unrelenting fate pursued men and women, children and grey-headed, without exception. To all this was added the plague, which attacked the Jews as well as the Christians. Under such circumstances, it is no wonder if such as could escape from a persecution so dreadful, and unmerited, really did secret themselves in the most retired corners.